All coaches have a background in family law, mediation, family therapy, social work or similar, and will be trained and supported by the High Conflict Institute which has developed the New Ways For Families training in the USA and Canada. 

Coaches work with individual parent learners who undertake a 12-module online course. The coach has direct one-to-one sessions by phone or internet at the start, middle and end of the online course, enabling learners to practice skills and consolidate their understanding of the training. Coaches are paid an hourly rate. 

The coaching is limited to the educational and therapeutic issues addressed during the course. Coaches do not have any other professional involvement with the learners and do not give legal advice or guidance. 

Shared Parenting Scotland national manager, Ian Maxwell, said: “We have been following the evolution of this training for several years and are delighted to make it available in Scotland. It isn’t mediation and isn’t legal advice. The aim is to bring parents who have lost sight of the damage prolonged conflict does to the children they both love back to reality. Analysis of New Ways for Families work in the US showed 4 out of 5 parents doing the training managed to resolve issues and improve relationships without going back to court.”

Shared Parenting Scotland is holding a webinar on Thursday 17th February from 4-5pm to launch the pilot of New Ways for Families Training in Scotland. The event will start with presentations about how the online training and one-to-one coaching will operate, followed by a chance to ask questions about the pilot. To book a free place at the webinar contact Claire Ross on cr@sharedparenting.scot or ring 0131 557 2440 for further details.